Guidebooks about Farming and Climate Change

Guidebooks about Farming and Climate Change

Editors: Leah Howland and Chloe Tiernan 

All the books we are recommending highlight issues that affect how humans relate to     ourselves, to one another, and to the natural world. Each one helps us to understand the     role that we play in the larger picture. 

Each category of book recommendation has something unique that can draw readers from     various backgrounds and keep them engaged. These books help us to think critically about our lives through another lens, while bringing that lens to our shared experiences.  

• Animal, Vegetable, Miracle recommended by Mia Iaccino
• The Climate Book recommended by Marceline Barnes
• All We Can Save recommended by Lily Spooner
• women don't owe you pretty recommended by Chloe Tiernan
• Teaching while the World’s on Fire recommended by Jenna Switzer 

The Taste of a Year: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle

Mia Iaccino

Barbara Kingsolver’s Animal, Vegetable, Miracle is a book that feels both educational and personal in a way that makes it really easy to connect with. I recommend it to anyone who wants to understand where their food comes from or who is interested in environmental issues but prefers to learn about them through real stories rather than dense scientific writing. The book follows Kingsolver and her family as they commit to spending a full year eating only food they grow themselves or buy from local farmers. What makes it so engaging is the mix of family experiences, thoughtful reflections, and practical information about what it actually takes to live more sustainably.

One thing I liked about the book is how Kingsolver makes the idea of eating locally feel achievable instead of intimidating. She does not pretend the process is perfect or simple. She talks about the challenges of planting early in the season, dealing with unexpected weather, or trying to preserve food when life gets busy. At the same time, she describes the joy of eating fresh produce, watching the garden grow, and learning to appreciate seasonal food. Her writing creates a clear picture of what it feels like to slow down and pay attention to the natural cycles that shape what we eat. While explaining all of these details about this experience, she links it to her family and shows the joys that come from it. Another part I liked is how she shows that her youngest daughter even helps her out in the garden and with the animals. I think it is important that she shows this because many parents might feel deterred from making this switch to a sustainable life because they have young children to focus on. But she shows that the kids truly do enjoy it as well and can be great at helping along the way.

The book also includes short sections written by her husband that explain food systems and environmental impacts in a very understandable and easy-to-read way. These parts give helpful context without taking away from the personal story. Kingsolver’s daughter also adds recipes and thoughts of her own as a young adult experiencing the same project, which gives the book another layer of perspective. All of these voices make the book feel fuller and more well-rounded. The recipes are a nice touch, and they will make you keep coming back to the book.

What stands out the most is how relevant the message still is. Kingsolver is not telling readers that they have to grow all of their food. Instead, she encourages people to think more carefully about the choices they make every day. Even small actions, like cooking with seasonal ingredients or supporting a local farm or farm stands, can create a real connection to the environment and the community.

Overall, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle is a warm, thoughtful, and inspiring book. It leaves you with a better understanding of the food you eat and reminds you that daily habits can have a meaningful impact on the world around you. If this review enticed you enough to pick up this book by Kingsolver, check out Nick Soles’ review of her recent novel, Demon Copperhead, in the subsection on Books about Human/Environmental Perseverance. In that book, you will hear how Kingsolver brings the same emotional depth and sharp social insight to a very different story, weaving together themes of resilience, hardship, and the power of community. You can find both Animal, Vegetable, Miracle and Demon Copperhead on Amazon, or if you are a digital reader, you can find them on Libby!

Marceline Barnes (Unfinished)

A Handbook of Hope: All We Can Save

Lily Spooner

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed about climate change, or just unsure how your everyday life connects to something much larger, All We Can Save: Truth, Courage, and Solutions for the Climate Crisis, edited by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and Katharine K. Wilkinson, is the kind of book that helps you breathe again. It is a collection of essays written by women who are on the front lines of climate action, including scientists restoring ecosystems, activists protecting their local communities, and leaders creating new, simple ways to care for our planet. 

What I love about this book, and why I am recommending it, is that it focuses on solutions, hope, and possibilities rather than the usual fear associated with climate change. One reason this book stood out to me is that it made climate change feel personal and like I had a role in helping. Instead of talking about environmental problems like they are distant, the writers show how small decisions, like how we eat, travel, vote, or just live, connect to bigger changes around the world. As a college student, it’s easy to feel like I don’t have any real power, but these essays made me realize how much individual actions actually matter, especially when many people show up together. Each story I read made me feel more hopeful and motivated towards changing our future for the better. 

Another reason I am recommending All We Can Save is the writing style. Since the book is made up of short essays and stories, you can read it in pieces and still get the message and feel like you read something meaningful. Johnson and Wilkinson organize the book thoughtfully, guiding readers from understanding the climate crisis, to exploring creative solutions, and finally learning how to get involved and make a difference. The book is also written in a clear, friendly, and relatable way that makes it feel like you’re talking with someone rather than them talking at you. This book is good for those who don’t normally read about climate change because of the way it is written and organized. 

What really interested and inspired me most was hearing from so many different women with such different stories. The women in this collection come from different professions, cultures, and backgrounds, yet they all share a deep commitment for caring for the earth and their communities. Their stories didn’t just cover their problems; they also talked about what it’s like to build a community, become a leader, and care for the planet in manageable ways. After hearing their perspectives and stories, it made me reconsider my role in my own community, as well as what kind of future I want to help achieve for my future children and grandchildren. 

Overall, I’d recommend All We Can Save to anyone, especially members of Generation Z, who want to feel more informed, empowered, and less alone when thinking about climate change and our planet’s future. This book is a reminder that climate action requires both courage and collaboration, and that no one is alone to face these challenges. Hope is needed during times like this, and each person has a role in creating a better world. If you’re looking for something educational, inspiring, and genuinely motivating, this is the book to pick.

Chloe Tiernan (Unfinished)

Jenna (Unfinished)